DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 1997                  TAG: 9705070807

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Music review

SOURCE: BY JEFF MAISEY, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   54 lines

DINOSAUR JR SURVIVES GRUNGE'S EXTINCTION

NOT ONLY DID Dinosaur Jr rock the Boathouse on Sunday but they also dropped boulders on it. As one of the last remanents of the short-lived grunge age, the power trio gave a classic stripped-down performance, full of musicianship.

One flick of the switch was all that was needed for the light show - just green and blue. Nothing fancy, but perfect for a grunge-like atmosphere. No flashy get-ups for these guys either, just T-shirts, jeans and an unbuttoned, untucked long-sleeve shirt for singer/guitarist J Mascis.

A person in the audience said, ``J is god.'' Let's not get carried away, but Mascis certainly ruled with authority over his small legion of fans bunched up in front of the stage. Playing his guitar through three Marshall amplifiers, Mascis' sound was monstrously loud, crisp and clear - tonic for anyone who enjoys guitar-dominated rock. Hand it to him, it was one of the best nights of upfront musicianship the Boathouse has seen in some time. Outstanding.

Vocally, Mascis was true to form. His whiny falsetto on the grinding ``I Don't Think'' and the slow strength of ``Alone'' had a Neil Young-esque quality.

The emphasis, though, didn't appear to be on the singing, as the vocals were mixed just barely over the music. Guitar solos ran rampant.

Bassist Mike Johnson and George Berz on drums did their parts. Solid and full of punch, the rhythm section gave a solid footing for Mascis.

Visually, the threesome stood their ground as they poured their hearts into the music. For the handful of people who bothered showing up, they got their money's worth after a dismal start.

Nevermind that Krist Novoselic once played bass for Nirvana; he unquestionably has lost his teen spirit. His new band, Sweet 75, smelled more like sour grapes. Whatever brilliance Nirvana created must have gone to the grave with Kurt Cobain. Sweet 75's vocalist was just plain bad, and that overshadowed the dreadful performance.

Ditch Croaker may find ditch digging to be their next occupation. This group shoveled a muddy 1960s psychedelic garage band sound on stage. The Beatles they were not - even The Rutles were better. The trombone player added nothing. This must have been some gimmick to come across as artsy. It failed. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

FRANK OCKENFEIS

Dinosaur Jr rocked the Boathouse with an outstanding show of

grunge-style musicianship.

Graphic

MUSIC REVIEW

Dinosaur Jr with Sweet 75 and Ditch Croaker

Sunday night at the Boathouse in Norfolk

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